Happy New Years Eve! Not surprisingly, the events for December 31 through the years are very few. In fact, none. After all, everyone is thinking about partying tonight and not making deals. We did come up with some birthdays for both Phillies players and MLB players.
Phillies personnel born on December 31
Syl Johnson, born December 31, 1904
Johnson was an outfielder for the Phillies from 1934 through 1940. Prior to coming to Philadelphia he played for Detroit, St. Louis, and Cincinnati in a 19-year MLB career.
Al Lakeman, born December 31, 1919
Lakeman was a catcher for the Phillies in 1947 and ’48. He also played for Cincinnati, the Boston Braves, and Detroit in a nine year MLB career. He then had a long career as a scout and player development figure, most notably with the Red Sox.
Sil Campusano, born December 31, 1968
Campusano played briefly for the Phillies in 1990 and 1991 after making his debut with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1988. He was known primarily for being a speed-and-defense outfielder.
Manny Muniz, born December 31, 1972
Muniz made just five relief appearances in the majors and they came with the Phillies in 1971.
MLB players born on December 31
King Kelly, born December 31, 1857
One of baseball’s earliest superstars, Kelly was a Hall of Fame player known for his hitting, baserunning, and showmanship during the 1880s and early 1890s. He was an outfielder, catcher, first baseman and pitched in 12 games during a 16-year career.
Rick Aguilera, born December 31, 1961
Aguilera was a standout closer for the Twins, anchoring their bullpen during the 1991 World Series championship and finishing his career with 318 saves over 16 seasons.
Esteban Loaiza, born December 31, 1971
Loaiza enjoyed a 14 year MLB career highlighted by a 2003 season with the White Sox when he led the American League with 21 wins and 207 strikeouts, good enough to finish second in Cy Young voting to Toronto’s Roy Halladay.
A DEEPER DIVE…. King Kelly
King Kelly was one of the most influential, colorful, and skilled players of baseball’s 19th-century era, helping shape the sport both on and off the field. Born in 1857, Kelly rose to prominence during a time when baseball was still defining its rules, strategies, and public image. Few players embodied that formative period more completely.
Kelly debuted in the major leagues in 1878 and quickly established himself as an exceptional all-around talent. A versatile player, he starred primarily as a catcher and outfielder but was capable of playing nearly every position on the field. He combined speed, power, defensive skill, and an advanced understanding of the game that set him apart from his contemporaries. At a time when specialization was rare, Kelly’s adaptability made him invaluable.
He is best remembered for his years with the Chicago White Stockings, where he became a national celebrity. In 1887, Chicago purchased Kelly’s contract for $10,000, an unprecedented sum that earned him the nickname “King” and cemented his status as baseball’s first true superstar. Fans flocked to see him play, and newspapers followed his exploits with enthusiasm rarely afforded to athletes of the era.
Kelly was also famous for his creativity and willingness to push — and sometimes bend — the rules. He popularized techniques such as the hook slide and advanced baserunning tactics, and stories about him exploiting loopholes in the rules became part of baseball lore. His aggressive, intelligent style of play helped accelerate the sport’s tactical evolution.
Off the field, Kelly was equally famous for his charm, nightlife, and flamboyant personality. He became one of the first players to earn money through endorsements, appearances, and even a bestselling autobiography, “Play Ball,” ghostwritten but marketed under his name. His celebrity status helped bridge the gap between baseball players and mainstream popular culture.
Kelly’s career statistics, impressive by any standard, include a lifetime batting average of .307 and 368 stolen bases in an era when records were inconsistently kept. His impact, however, went far beyond numbers. In 1945, he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, recognized not only for his on-field excellence but for his role in transforming baseball into a spectator-driven national pastime.
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